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Alan Branch on lack of playing time: 'I control what I can control'

Related Topics: Alan Branch, Bill Belichick

FOXBORO — Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch feels like he had another “pretty good” week of practice.

Will that lead to a return to the game-day lineup? He still doesn’t know.

“I control what I can control,” Branch said. “I go out there and practice, and (Bill Belichick) makes the decision. The reasons why, I don’t know.”

Branch was left home in New England last week when the Patriots traveled to play the Buccaneers. The team told him the benching was for performance-related reasons, according to a source.

This has been an ongoing storyline for Branch, who has played the 17th most snaps on the defense this season.